Tag Archives: februdairy

After (another huge success of) Veganuary, the dairy industry came up with Februdairy. It’s giving me mixed feelings. First of all, it makes me laugh a little bit, because.. seriously? Second, it makes me happy.. because apparently the dairy industry is having problems and is trying to survive. Third, it makes me sad.. because there must be a lot of desperate farmers now veganism is going so well. Don’t get me wrong, because there is nothing I like more than animal exploitation to stop, but I also want people to have a job. I just hope that the dairy farmers are brave enough to choose a different profession before it’s too late. In the end I think it makes me happy the most, because if you look at #februdairy you can see how the vegan community is fighting back. It gives me a feeling of togetherness, we are all fighting for the ones without a voice. And it’s working! It looks like Februdairy turned into a vegan campaign showing everybody the truth around dairy. In just a few days the complete opposite is happening. It makes me feel proud, hopeful and strong! We have to stand up for the voiceless!

Why is dairy so scary?
Dairy is scary for a lot of reasons:
-A cow gives milk for the same reason a dog, a mouse, a lion and even humans give milk. It’s meant for her baby. Cows are not here in the world to provide milk for human consumption. We are not calves.
-We are the only species on earth that keeps consuming milk after we need it and also the only species that consumes milk from a different species.
-To get the milk, a cow get artificially inseminated every year. After the cow gives birth her baby is taken away from her within less than 72 hours. The calf is put in a crate by him/herself. A lot of male calves are killed straight after birth or sold for veal. Females will go through the same process as their mothers.
-A dairy cow goes to slaughter when she is around 5-6 years old (the average natural lifespan for a cow could be as long as 25 years), because around that time she will give less milk. At that time most of the cows are weakened a lot (some of them can’t even stand on their legs anymore, they’re called: downers) by the conditions they have lived in. She will be sold for meat. So every sip of milk is linked to the meat industry.-Due to infections, caused by the machines and always lactating, there is blood and pus in milk. It’s legal for milk to contain up to 400 million pus cells per litre. This means that one teaspoonful of milk can max. have two million pus cells.
-In milk there are hormones and growth factors. This is necessary for the calf to keep drinking from her/his mother and to grow fast into a 750-1000 kg adult cow.
-Cow’s milk is unnatural to drink, unless you’re a calf. Therefore it’s unhealthy for humans. There are studies that that, for example, countries with lowest rates of dairy consumption have the lowest rates of osteoporosis. There are also studies that say that dairy increases the body’s level of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). This is a known for promoting cancer. And this isn’t all, there are a lot more negative health related issues around dairy!
-Then there is the saturated animal fat, casein and lactose. This is linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and strokes, bloating/wind and cramps, allergies, ovarian cancer.
-Dairy is all about money. The government and the dairy industry do not care about your health. Do your own research!

What can you do to make a difference?
-Drink plant-based milk: oat, rice, soya, almond, cashew, macadamia.
-Only eat plant based yogurt, ice cream, cheese, creams or anything that otherwise may contain cow’s milk, like biscuits, crisps, cakes etc.. there is so much choice!
-Vote with your money. Every time you choose a plant-based alternative to cow’s milk, there is supply and demand. If supermarkets sell more plant-based milk and less cow’s milk, slowly but surely there will be less and less dairy cows.
-Speak up! Tell people about the dairy industry. Tell the truth and hopefully more and more people will make the connection.

Do you still drink cow’s milk or did you swap it for a plant-based alternative? What is your favourite (my one is oat milk)? Do you have something you’d like to share or do you have a question? Please let me know in the comments below or show me by using #PlanetManel on Instagram. Thank you! X

FEBRUDAIRY
Yes, after (another huge success of) Veganuary, the dairy industry came up with Februdairy. On Monday I will post an article about what I think about this whole concept.

07/02 – PARADISE UNBAKERY MEET UP
This is a little painful to write as I used to literally live next to Paradise Unbakery and it’s an amazing cafe. So I’m very sure this is a lovely meet up. If you want to get together with like-minded people, then you’re welcome between 18:30-21:30 (59 Chamberlayne Road, Kensal Rise NW10 3ND). The entry is free, you just have to pay for your own food and drinks.

10/02 – MY BIRTHDAY!
Yay! I love my birthday. I will turn 29.. almost 30! Omg! This year my birthday is on a Saturday. What means I’m off and that is lovely. I’m also alone on my birthday, as my employers are on holiday. It’s a bit weird to be alone on my birthday. I’ve never experienced that before. I’m planning a Spa day! I’m in need of one as my back is super stuck and I have a little trouble relaxing lately.

10+17+24/02 – HACKNEY DOWNS VEGAN MARKET
There will be a lovely vegan market in Hackney again, like every Saturday. There are such lovely stalls and you will be pleased to choose from a wide range of great tasting food. It’s from 11:00-17:00 (Amhurst Terrace, London E8 2BT) and the entry is free. I’ve been here a few times myself and there is such good food.. really worth going!

10+17+24/02 – CANADA GOOSE PROTEST
Every Saturday there is a protest against the horrible brand ‘Canada Goose’. It’s from 12:30-15:30 and everybody is welcome. Make sure you’re not wearing anything animal related and only bring information specifically for Canada Goose, so not about fur farms. The meeting point is inside Cavendish Square (max. 13:00). I might go here myself, the 24th. Do I see you there? Stand up against fur!

11-16/02 – GENEVA/FRANCE
For work I will be flying to Geneva this day and stay in France until the 16th. I’ve been before and it’s super beautiful up there. That last time was in summer, so now it will be cold en there will be snow. That is not really my thing, but I’m sure at least it will be a lovely sight. It will be a short trip, but I will miss Oliver a lot though. I will post some lovely pictures on my Instagram!

17/02 – GREATER LONDON VEGAN FESTIVAL
A vegan festival with a brand new location: Kia Oval (Kennington, Oval, SE11 5SS) and it’s from 10:30-17:00. There are many stalls, talks, demos, a kids area and much more. A ticket is only £3 if you order it in advance. On the day itself they will be £5. Nothing planned this Saturday? Then go check it out!

24/02 – YOGA AND VEGAN FAIR
It’ll be the first Yogific Yoga and Vegan Fair in Greenwich. It’s held at Corelli College (Corelli Road, Blackheath, London, SE3 8EP) between 9:15-16:30. You can count on all-day yoga sessions, workshops, talks, delicious vegan food and shops with vegan products/services. Tickets are £5 if you order in advance. They will be £6 at the door, but they will be limited. Under 13’s are free.

25/02 – BRIXTON VEGAN MARKET
Another lovely vegan market, in Brixton (Recreation Centre 27 Brixton Station Road, SW9 8QQ). It will be from 9:30-15:30 and you can find lots of sweet and savoury food here. Hurray for another vegan market!

Was this helpful, did you like to read this or do you have any questions? Would you like to tell me about your Easter.. I’d love to hear all about it! Please let me know in a comment below! Do you have any exciting things coming up what is related to veganism, positivity, spirituality etc? Please let me know! Send me a message via CONTACT and I might publish it in my next newsletter! Thank you! X